Schooling alfresco a no-no?

Don’t worry, I'll spare you the spiel about how in my day we walked five miles to school, uphill both ways in daily blizzard conditions, Largely because its not true.

But when I heard Tuesday a school in Ohio was closed for the day due to a power outage, I had to shake my head. The weather forecast for this day in that location called for clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s.

I’d like to think they could have conducted classes outside, at least for half a day. Back in my day (there it is), we would often spend several class periods outside in the spring. Granted, you can’t use all the wonderful technology our schools are gaga for while sitting around a shade tree, but you can read. And lecture. And conduct music and art classes. And how about phys ed and, for the smaller kids, recess?

Lunch would be hard, but I’m sure there is enough natural light somewhere in the school building where the cafeteria staff could do PB&J or something equally simple that doesn’t involved power. As long as there is running water, what is the problem? Shoot, to this day I will try and work outside on nice days. The fresh air and pleasant environs tend to help me concentrate. Wouldn’t it do likewise for the kids?

Oh well,I’m sure there’s some complicated, legal explanation for why they can’t conduct school outside these days. But I’ll stick with the original premise: Schools have gone soft.

Follow the blogger on Twitter @avanbrimmer and on Facebook at /smndaddywarbucks